Time to talk Parkinson’s as event brings together experts and patients

Fiona Thompson

Parkinson’s patients are being invited to have their say as those leading the fight against the condition discuss their work.

The North East Parkinson’s Research Interest Group will host the event on Monday, offering people the chance to speak to researchers, health care professionals and others.

Everyone with Parkinson’s is different and this will give people the chance to have an informal chat about their treatment and experiences.

Christine Proctor

One in every 500 people - around 127,000 people across the UK - has the condition, which causes symptoms which can include tremor, rigidity and slowness of movement.

They are can also be affected by tiredness, pain, depression and constipation, which can have an impact on their day-to-day lives, with drugs, therapies and occasionally surgery used to manage it.

Monday’s North East Research Fair aims to raise awareness of Parkinson’s research, highlight involvement opportunities, and importantly give all an opportunity join the conversation to share valuable ideas and experiences.

It is a one-off event and will run from 10.30am to 3.30pm at the Great North Museum: Hancock in Barras Bridge, Newcastle.

After an introduction by Parkinson’s UK and a talk on treatments and therapies, the day will be split into sessions for talks and activities.

Guest speakers will include Dr Lesley Scott, senior lecturer in patient, carer and public involvement at the University of Sunderland and Dr Paul Chazot, a senior lecturer from Durham University’s School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, and his colleague Dr Max Brown, Durham, postdoctoral research associate.

Doctors from Newcastle University and a specialist nurse from Newcastle Hospitals will also attend.

Christine Proctor, who has helped organise the day, said: “Anybody with Parkinson’s can join the group, as well as anyone interested in research, to join us around the table and be actively involved, so we can share our information with everybody.

“We’ve got enough places for 120 participants and delegates and this will be conversations, rather than just being part of an audience.

“Everyone with Parkinson’s is different and this will give people the chance to have an informal chat about their treatment and experiences.”